Author's Notes: Okay, after watching countless hours of Ned's this past week, I was struck with the inspiration to write a fic. Be gentle, it's my first Ned's Declassified fic, and the first high school fic I've written in about 7 years. I love reviews, they make me write faster. I have the next chapter almost done, if there's interest

Jenny

Ned's Declassified SSG: High School

Chapter One: First Day Jitters

"Open, come on, open!" Ned mumbled to his locker, both sleepiness and irritation audible in his voice, "Oh this is ridiculous…"

It was 7:05 am, on his first day of high school. He should be excited, pumped, thrilled, and ready to take on the challenge that is high school. Instead, he was still half asleep and beginning to panic slightly as he glanced at the clock. The bell would be ringing in less than five minutes, and he still had no idea where his first class was located. And if he didn't open his locker soon, he'd have to run across campus with a bag full of junk he didn't need yet. To make things worse, Cookie's locker was in a different building, Moze wasn't on the bus and he hadn't see her yet, and he felt like the shortest person in the entire school.

"Oh finally, someone I recognize!" Ned turned, finding himself face to face with Lisa, who began to twirl the lock on the locker next to his, "I knew it would be bigger than middle school, but I never expected this!"

"Tell me about it." Ned sighed, "I already feel like I don't belong."

"I'm sure you'll make yourself at home right away," Lisa responded with a friendly smile, "I've heard it's always bumpy the first few days." She placed her books into her locker and slammed the door shut, tilting her head to the side to examine Ned, "You look exhausted."

"I stayed up until almost 3 this morning talking on the phone to Moze." Ned admitted with a slight blush, "I guess we lost track of time…once you get in the habit of doing something for almost 3 months, it's hard to get back in the swing of things."

He hit the side of his fist against his locker, which popped open in protest, "At least I finally got this darn thing to work."

The bell rang, and Lisa glanced down at her schedule, "Off to homeroom, assuming I can find it…I'll talk to you later, Ned."

Almost instantly the hallway came alive with people pushing their way to their classrooms. Ned leaned with his back against his locker, glancing down at the schedule he held in his hands. There was no way he'd be able to find the building he was supposed to be in during the five minute period they had to traverse across campus. Shaking his head, he fell into step with the stream of hallway traffic making their way towards the staircase. Lisa was right, it would take a few days to get adjusted to things, but he'd feel like he belonged in no time…at least, he hoped so.

By the time he found Hawthorne Hall, the tardy bell had rung and the hallways had turned into a ghost town. As he slipped into the classroom, he could almost feel his cheeks turning red with embarrassment as the scary looking teacher gave him the evil eye. Oh God, it was a female Sweeney. At least it was only a homeroom, right?

He slid into an empty desk, taking out a blank composition book and writing on the top of the first page, "H.S. tip #1 Try to find a map of your high school campus before your first day."

As his homeroom teacher began to ramble on about mandatory state examinations and the importance of a successful high school career, Ned's thoughts drifted to Moze. Had she made it to school on time? Did she know anyone in her homeroom? Would they share any classes? Would he even cross paths with her on this gigantic campus?

As the bell rang, Ned slung his backpack onto his shoulder, wishing nothing more than to be across the street, back at Polk Middle School.

Glancing down at his schedule, he was relieved to find that his first class was in the same building he was already sitting in, in fact, the same classroom. He glanced up at his teacher in horror, could it be? First period Biology, he had none other than Mrs. Hargrove, the same teacher he had already made a lousy first impression with. Slumping down into his desk, he glanced up towards the ceiling, praying that he'd at least have a friend in the class.

As people slowly began to trickle into the classroom, Ned pulled out a new notebook, scribbling the date on the right hand corner of the first page. His new (school) year's resolution was to actually try for good grades this term. He had managed to skate through middle school doing the bare minimum required, but he had a feeling that things were about to get tougher.

He had just put his pencil down when he was forced to look up due to a familiar scent that infiltrated his personal space. Okay, if Moze ever found out that he thought she had a distinctive smell, she'd probably beat him up, but it was one of the many ways he used to sense her presence. Immediately, all of the tension of the morning evaporated and was replaced by a huge goofy grin that took up permanent occupancy on his face when she was around. Corny and sappy, yes? But he was certain this was what love felt like.

"I'm so glad you're here." Ned said quietly as Moze sat down beside him, scooting her desk slightly towards him, "Besides having a locker next to Lisa, you're the first person I've seen all day that I know."

"Tell me about it!" Moze groaned, "I saw some seniors terrorizing Coconut Head on my way to homeroom, but I didn't even have time to stop and help him out. This place is a nightmare!"

"At least we have class together. I have Spanish next period, then Algebra, Lunch, English, World History, and Gym."

"I have wood shop, Geometry, Lunch - we'll have to find a place to meet up so we can hang out together-, English, World History, and Athletic Gym. Then after school, I have Volleyball practice. Who do you have for English and History?"

After comparing schedules, Ned was relieved to find that he'd get to spend at least 3 and a half hours every day with Moze. Maybe this new school wouldn't be such a drag after all.

His opinion quickly changed; however, when the first words out of Mrs. Hargrove's mouth after the tardy bell rang were "Pop Quiz". As he accepted the fact that his first grade of the new term would likely be in the "failing" category, he couldn't help but remain in good spirits. After all, you couldn't win them all, and at least he got to spend every morning with Moze.

Aside from having Cookie in his Spanish and Gym class, Ned was surprised to see that not a lot of his old classmates were in his classes this year. He wasn't too thrilled to see Loomer in Algebra, although having talkative Martin in his English class made things a lot more interesting than their boring, ancient teacher possibly could have. All in all, the highlight of Ned's day was the brown eyed brunette that he spent the majority of his time with. By the time the school day was over, Ned dreaded going home. Not only would he have to ride the bus alone, but once he got home there would be no one to talk to or hang out with. Glancing at his watch and judging by his heavy backpack, he couldn't help but think that maybe this was a sign that he should get his homework done before Moze got home from Volleyball, or else risk not getting it done at all.

He walked through the front door of his house, dropping his backpack on the kitchen floor while he scoured the pantry for some sort of snack. The school lunches left much to be desired and he was starving. As he flopped down onto the sofa, picking up the remote, he felt a pang of guilt over neglecting his homework so early in the term, but as one of his favorite Ninja movies started to play, all thoughts of schoolwork became a distant memory. And as the movie played on, he felt his eyelids growing heavier as thoughts of his sleepless night began to catch up with him. Before the first commercial break, he had drifted to sleep.

"Ned? Ned?"

Ned blinked open his eyes, dazed and confused as he tried to assess his surroundings. He wasn't in bed, that was for sure, and he was still dressed in school clothes. And he could have sworn he heard Moze calling his name. Sitting up, he banged his forehead against his girlfriend's, moaning as he tried to get his bearings straight. He was on the sofa, and Moze was sitting next to him. Smiling. Yes, that was the new way he wanted to wake up from this point forward.

"Hey sleepy head." Moze said softly, "Your Mom said I could come in, she was leaving when I walked up. I was wondering if you wanted to go get some pizza or something…that is, unless you're too tired, if you are, we can always go some other time."

Her cheeks flushed pink, and Ned had to smile at her thoughtfulness, "No, no, I'm awake. That would be great. How was practice?"

"Pretty good. There's a lot of great players, I'm going to have to try extra hard to make a name for myself here." Moze replied, standing and offering her hand to Ned, "But this new school isn't as bad as I thought it would be."

Ned stood, stifling a yawn as he ran his fingers through his hair, "It's definitely not as bad as I had convinced myself it would be. Do you want to ask Cookie and Lisa to go with us?"

"I'd rather not; I'd like it to be just you and me." Moze replied, "It was so strange spending all of that time together today and not being alone. I guess I got really spoiled over the summer."

"Me too." Ned agreed, glancing at the clock on the nearby VCR, "Well, we better hurry before all of the booths are taken."

Almost seven hours later, Ned and Moze were lying in Ned's bed, facing each other as they quietly talked. The alarm on Ned's bedside table switched from 11:54 to 11:55 and began to beep loudly. With a heavy sigh, Ned turned it off and whispered, "I guess you have to get home now…"

"Yeah." Moze replied reluctantly, leaning in to let her lips connect with Ned's, "I wish I didn't have to."

"I'm sure both of our parents would love for you to spend the night here." Ned said with a smirk, pulling her closer as their lips met once more, "I'll call you?"

"Give me ten minutes, I'll be waiting." Moze replied, standing and slipping on her shoes, "I love you."

He couldn't deny how much he thoroughly enjoyed hearing those three little words come out of Moze's mouth, "I love you too."

As she shut his bedroom door behind her, Ned rolled over onto his back, staring at the ceiling. How did he ever get so lucky?

TBC